Commercial vehicle inspection (CVI)
A CVI is a regular safety check that keeps commercial trucks safe and legal on BC roads. It isn’t just paperwork: it’s how worn brakes, bad lights and tire problems get caught before they cause a crash.
Who needs one
In British Columbia, these vehicles generally need periodic safety inspections:
- Heavy commercial vehicles: trucks and truck tractors with a licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) over 8,200 kg (about 18,080 lb). Depending on weight and use, inspections are annual or semi-annual. For example, a regular truck between 8,201 and 17,300 kg usually needs an annual inspection, while logging trucks over 8,201 kg and most trucks over 17,301 kg need one every six months.
- Passenger transportation vehicles: buses and other vehicles carrying more than a set number of passengers.
- Some other vehicles: including emergency vehicles and farm vehicles over certain weights.
Check the rules for your vehicle type and weight. The Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is the authority, and its website has the current requirements.
What we inspect
Our Authorized Inspectors work to the CVSE guidelines and follow a detailed checklist. We check:
- Brakes: lines, air system, pads, rotors, drums and related parts.
- Steering and suspension: linkage, shocks, springs and suspension components.
- Tires and wheels: inflation, tread depth, damage and wear.
- Lights and electrical: every light, signal and the wiring behind them.
- Frame and body: damage, corrosion and anything that affects structural strength.
- Fuel system: lines and tanks, for leaks.
- Exhaust: leaks and emission controls.
- Cargo securement, where it applies.
The goal isn’t just a pass. It’s knowing the truck is safe. We’ll walk you through the results and anything that needs attention.
Vehicle appraisals
When you buy a used vehicle privately in BC, ICBC charges PST on the purchase price or the vehicle’s book value, whichever is higher. If the truck is worth less than book value because of its condition, mileage or damage, you could pay more tax than you should.
An appraisal from us documents what the truck is actually worth.
- A careful inspection of the body, interior, mileage and overall condition, by technicians who know what affects a diesel truck’s value.
- Modifications counted. Aftermarket parts that add value are taken into account.
- Local market knowledge. We know what diesel trucks sell for in Nanaimo and the surrounding area.
- A written report with our findings and fair market value. The report is for ICBC tax purposes, on the required FIN 320 form.
- A plain explanation of how we reached the value.
Pre-purchase inspection
Thinking about buying a used diesel? Have it checked before you hand over the money. We look at everything from the engine and transmission to the brakes and tires, and tell you what you’re really buying. More about pre-purchase inspections.